Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important debate and I compliment our colleague, Deputy James Reilly, on giving us that opportunity. One would need to have a heart of stone when one sees children needing urgent hospital treatment. Those of us who are parents or, as in my case, a grandparent, can empathise with the parents of those children. One could not but be concerned and upset about the current situation. Deputy Mary White made reference to the case of the Kilkenny girl, Jamie Murphy, and I know much credit is due to the benefactor who helped in that regard.

I received calls on that subject this morning following the publication of The Irish Times pointing out that a foundation which raises funds for the Crumlin children's hospital had almost €30 million available to it at the end of 2007, to which reference was made in the Dáil this morning. The report states, "...the Children's Medical and Research Foundation insisted yesterday that its resources could not be used for the purpose of plugging the gap left by shortfalls". Other colleagues receiving calls might also wonder about this matter, which is an item for debate. The report states that funds are being used for children's parties, refurbishments and to upgrade equipment. While I bow to no one in my admiration for the Crumlin hospital and the marvellous work it does, it is a fair point to make and there is a question to be asked.

Like other colleagues, I visited the Crumlin hospital yesterday. It is not the first time I have been there. I am a child of Crumlin and I remember the hospital being opened in 1956. I wonder how many of my colleagues can claim, as I can, that they were treated in that hospital and, although it was a long time ago, I remember it well. All three of my children were patients there, as was my little granddaughter. I have huge admiration for what happens at the hospital. While it is not in my constituency, many people from Tallaght and Dublin South-West, like those from other parts of the country, go there.

Yesterday's visit was very important. The Joint Committee on Health and Children, under the chairmanship of Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, was very clear as to why members wanted to visit the hospital. I know journalists have questioned our motives but it was part of a process. Deputy Reilly made the point that it was important that we went and saw the situation for ourselves, met the management team and the board, and had the opportunity to visit the facilities, including the operating theatres, and meet patients and their parents. Tomorrow, we will take that information into the committee room - I know the committee Vice Chairman will also be present - and talk to senior officials of the HSE in regard to this issue. The process will then be completed on 7 July, when the joint committee meets Professor Drumm. A clear message we will give to the officials and Professor Drumm, bearing in mind the way all of us feel about the services, is that frontline services must be preserved. There is all-party agreement and a determination by the committee to achieve this, and it is important we would try to get this message across to Professor Drumm and his officials.

During this debate, there has been much reference to the future development of children's services in the country, particularly in the Dublin region. I am a Dublin-born and based Deputy and I feel strongly about the fact we need what was described as a super-hospital. Without playing politics, I have always made the point that the Mater hospital site was a mistake. This is not just to make a case for Tallaght and many of us would agree-----

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